We need not look to the manger with an empty hope because we know Jesus would grow up, live perfectly, and go to the cross on our behalf.
By Matt Henslee
Scripture: Mark 13:24-37 (CSB)
“But in those days, after that tribulation: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
“Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that he is near—at the door.
“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
“Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son —but only the Father.
“Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.
“It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. Otherwise, when he comes suddenly he might find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!”
As we launch into this season of Advent, we enter into a season of anticipation.
Kids anticipate opening gifts, parents anticipate the pitter-patter of feet rushing to see what toys lie under the tree, and credit card companies anticipate sending a round of bills at the first of the year.
But it also begins a season of anticipation by reflection. We reflect on the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we also long for His return. As James R. Edwards puts it:
The longing that things ought not to be as they are, and cannot be allowed to remain as they are, is essentially an eschatological longing.”
We need not look to the manger with an empty hope because we know Jesus would grow up, live perfectly, and go to the cross on our behalf.
Likewise, we need not look to the cross with an empty hope because we know Jesus would rise again three days later.
And that birthed a promise even better: He’s coming again.
We look forward to that day, the Great Day, when Jesus returns in glory, condemns evil, ends suffering, and wipes away every tear from our eyes. That glorious day when our Lord will gather His people, Christians, to Himself.
So, as you begin this time of anticipation, as you start to gather around people you love with endless Christmas parties and make your way through the hustle and bustle of this season—hit the pause button.
- Pause and consider who was born in that manger.
- Pray in thanksgiving He went to the cross and rose again.
- Praise our Lord with a yearning for His return.
- Proclaim these truths until He comes “in clouds with great power and glory.”
Matt Henslee
Matt and his wife Rebecca have four daughters. He is the lead pastor of Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving, Texas and coauthor of Replanting Rural Churches.
